INTRODUCTION OF MURINE IL-4 GENE INTO B16(F10) MELANOMA TUMORS BY DIRECT GENE-TRANSFER WITH DNA-LIPOSOME COMPLEXES

Il-4 is a highly pleiotropic cytokine which induces cytotoxic activity when present at the tumor site. Death of tumor cells probably depends on the appearance of an inflammatory infiltrate composed of eosinophi ls and macrophages. Regression of established tumor masses has been re adily observed upon direct intratumor implantation of cells which cons titutively produce high amounts of Il-4. We now report a similar poten t anti-tumor effect achieved via direct gene transfer, i.e. by injecti ng Il-4 DNA complexed with cationic liposomes into B16(F10) melanoma t umor in vivo.